VT vs. IWS

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while IWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.61%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for IWS. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for IWS.

Performance

VT vs. IWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 9.77% return, which is significantly lower than IWS's 13.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VT has outperformed IWS with an annualized return of 12.61%, while IWS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.08% annualized return.

VT

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -0.45%
• YTD: 9.77%
• 6M: 10.59%
• 1Y: 25.47%
• 3Y*: 19.82%
• 5Y*: 10.54%
• 10Y*: 12.61%

IWS

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 13.43%
• 6M: 13.77%
• 1Y: 24.70%
• 3Y*: 16.23%
• 5Y*: 8.15%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VT vs. IWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	9.77%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	26.81%	-9.76%	24.50%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	13.43%	10.82%	12.91%	12.52%	-12.29%	28.10%	4.83%	26.73%	-12.43%	13.14%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and IWS is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008	0.89

The correlation between VT and IWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VT vs. IWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VT	IWS
Technology	27.8%	18.2%
Financial Services	15.9%	13.7%
Industrials	12.0%	16.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	8.4%
Communication Services	8.3%	3.0%
Healthcare	8.1%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.8%
Energy	4.3%	7.7%
Basic Materials	4.2%	5.4%
Utilities	2.7%	6.5%
Real Estate	2.4%	8.2%

Return for Risk

VT vs. IWS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 65
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 69

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 66
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VT vs. IWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VT	IWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	1.87	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.67	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.33	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	3.29	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.68	12.38	-0.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VT vs. IWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the IWS Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and IWS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VT	IWS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	1.87	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.47	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.52	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.42	+0.01

Drawdowns

VT vs. IWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, smaller than the maximum IWS drawdown of -62.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and IWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	IWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-62.40%	+12.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-7.53%	-2.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-20.57%	+4.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	-21.23%	-5.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	-43.83%	+9.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.06%	-1.83%	-1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.02%	-8.02%	+1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	2.00%	+0.19%

Volatility

VT vs. IWS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 4.55% compared to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) at 3.45%. This indicates that VT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VT	IWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.55%	3.45%	+1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.67%	9.74%	+0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.10%	13.30%	-0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.10%	17.32%	-1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.26%	19.37%	-2.11%

VT vs. IWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than IWS's 0.23% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VT vs. IWS - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, more than IWS's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.36%	1.53%	1.50%	1.76%	1.93%	1.39%	1.87%	1.97%	2.53%	1.96%	2.10%	2.14%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.63%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VT and IWS in my portfolio?

VT and IWS have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VT or IWS?

VT has higher volatility (4.55%) compared to IWS (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs IWS's -62.40%.

Which ETF is better, VT or IWS?

On 10-year performance, VT leads with 12.61% vs 10.08% for IWS. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VT or IWS?

Over the 10-year period, VT has performed better with a 12.61% return vs 10.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VT or IWS?

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for IWS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VT or IWS?

VT has the higher dividend yield at 1.63%, compared with 1.36% for IWS.

What is the main difference between VT and IWS?

VT is categorized as Global Equities, while IWS is Mid Cap Value Equities. VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, while IWS tracks Russell Midcap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.23% for IWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.87), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.